Basic is classic

Pushpesh Pant

We, in India, have a wide variety of swadeshi pancakes. Dosai are at the top of the heap closely followed by uttapam and pesaratthu. In Bengal and Orissa, one encounters a mind-boggling range of sweet and savoury peetha. UP and Bihar like to flaunt their besan or moong daal cheela. These are seldom served sans frills. Dosai has masala packed inside and cheelas are filled with paneer. Despite our patriotic pride, we often find ourselves craving for the good old traditional pancake cast in the American mould; the way we are told their grandmoms made them. Resist the temptation to make them from packaged premixes. Very little exertion or skill are required to dish out dozens of spongy pancakes. And sweet breakfast is ready in a jiffy and we are yet to come across a finicky kid who refuses a second serving!

Sweet Breakfast

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour 1 cup
• Baking powder 2 tsp
• Salt 1/2 tsp
• Sugar 1 tsp
• Egg 1(beaten lightly)
• Milk 1 cup
• Butter 3 tbsp (melted)
• Honey/preserves of choice/cream
• Fresh fruits  To taste

Method

Sift flour and salt along with baking powder. Place in a large bowl and make a hollow in the centre. Break the egg in it and pour milk and add sugar. Whisk till smooth and without any lumps. Heat butter on a griddle and pour out about 1/4 cup of batter for a pancake. Spread in a small circle with the back of a ladle. Cook till golden, turn once to cook the other side. Remove with a spatula and place on a platter. Repeat the process till the batter is all used up. Serve with honey, syrup of choice and ripping in butter. Sinful, yes, but, oh so satisfying! Sure beats the monotonous toast. Treat yourself to a couple on a Sunday. They say revenge is sweet; methinks so is self indulgence-once in a while.